THE ULTIMATES #6 (Best of the Week!)
"Giant Man Vs. the Wasp"
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Bryan Hitch
Inks: Andrew Currie
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
Millar provides a somewhat quiet epilogue to the first story arc, and it explores the human side of the characters as opposed to the superhuman. Hitch's art, as brilliant as usual; his eye for detail and the softness in his figures reinforce the tone of realism that dominates the script. Of his two Ultimate titles, Millar's work here definitely stands out as the stronger of the two fine efforts, and I would imagine it's due in part to the fact that this title has a smaller, more focused cast of characters than Ultimate X-Men.
As Betty Ross and Nick Fury contend with the spin-doctoring of the Hulk's rampage through Manhattan, the issue of Thor's reluctance to join the team remains outstanding. Tony Stark invites the would-be Thunder God and Captain America over to his New York digs for dinner to discuss it. Meanwhile, Hank, feeling humiliated by his defeat at the hands of the Hulk, lashes out at his wife, Jan AKA the Wasp.
The whole point of this issue is to show the reader different aspects of the main characters, and Hitch backs up Millar wonderfully in achieving that end. Here, Thor boasts a softer, more jovial look, no longer wearing the mask of a cynic and radical. Hitch also shows us the anger, fatigue and frustrations of a couple that loves one another but ultimately cannot get along. Hitch's realistic approach really brings out the characters' humanity.
I'll be honest... Hank and Jan's marital blowup bothered me. Te characters were treating one another with complete disdain, and it didn't jibe with what we've seen of them in previous issues. I liked these new interpretations of the characters, and the discord we see here made me angry. In other words... this is some strong characterization on Millar's part. He lulled his readers into being comfortable with these characters, but then reveals the dirty little secrets. The unhealthy nature of their relationship makes them, sadly, all the more believable as characters.
While he's obviously been inspired by the Avengers from Marvel's 40-year history, Millar is experimenting more with the characters here... certainly more than what we've seen in the other Ultimate titles. It brings an unpredictability to the book and a darker, more mature tone that makes for fascinating reading every month.
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